Pak media not free

Apropos of ‘Pak deep state’s war on media’ (May 4), the suppression of political dissent and curbs on the media are nothing new in Pakistan. However, the irony is that such restrictions are being imposed by a government that claims to be democratically elected. Censorship of media houses and abrupt interventions in the interviews of opposition leaders clearly indicate that the government will muffle any voice that refuses to comply with the official narrative.

Nissim Aggarwal, Chandigarh

Flypast expenditure

Amid lockdown, when government employees haven’t attended office, the salary cut in salary and curtailing of DA till July 2021 is justified, but health staff and sanitation staff and the police should be exempted from it due to their continuous fight against the pandemic. Also, the undue expenditure being incurred on the fuel of planes and helicopters and other equipment for the flypast is a good gesture towards Covid warriors, but should be restricted to prevent loss to the national exchequer, which is already strained. This amount may be utilised for providing medical infrastructure, ambulances, isolation wards, ventilators and PPE.

H/Capt Jagdish Verma (Retd), Narola

Act not meaningful

Every citizen is a corona warrior in one’s own way by following the lockdown instructions sincerely and motivating others. Shifting of needy persons and performing other much-required sorties would have been a meaningful act rather than showering flowers on health staff by defence choppers and playing band at so many places throughout the country. At this crucial time, each penny and action matter a lot.

RS Kishtwaria, Palampur

US-China rift

Refer to ‘Accidental contagion’ (May 4); the statement by Trump that he is confident the coronavirus originated in a Chinese virology lab and the silence of the Wuhan Institute of Virology on the allegations is ominous. The pandemic has cost tens of thousands of lives in the US alone, sparked an economic contraction and threatened his chances of re-election in November. The deepening rift may lead to a war between the US and China, which will be a disaster for the whole world.

BHAGWAN BALRAM THADANI, MUMBAI

Let no child go hungry

Reference to the news ‘Birthday of 1-year-olds made special, courtesy cops’; has shown a human face of the police. We appreciate such warm gestures from the police. But at the same time, let us ensure that no child sleeps on an empty stomach during the Covid pandemic.

Janak Raj Sarangal, Gurdaspur

Serious lapses

Reference to a rapid rise in Covid cases in Punjab, an atmosphere of fear and trepidation is prevailing among the people of the state. This impulsive move by the government of bringing back people from Kota and Nanded is going to have drastic outcomes. Another lapse was sending some pilgrims from Nanded to their homes without properly examining them, and then calling them back to check if they were infected or not.

Rajkirat Singh Makkar, Muktsar

Set up tent cities

Had the Punjab Government taken the right steps by sending only a few buses, instead of about hundred, along with health teams and kits for screening and testing at Hazur Sahib itself, before bringing stranded pilgrims back to Punjab, this big problem of sudden spurt in number of positive cases could have been avoided. Further, isolation/ quarantine places should be hygienic and enough toilets should be provided. Tent cities like during Kumbh Mela and at Patna Sahib should be created on a war footing.

Jagdish Singh Jassal, Patiala

Bond with plants

Apropos of the middle ‘We have time, let’s talk to plants’ (May 4), plants do communicate with the surroundings. Today, as we are going through tough times, we should forge a special bond with plants and trees. It would not only be beneficial in preserving our natural assets but also help humankind in the generations to come.

KIRANDEEP SINGH, CHANDIGARH

A fresh start

Let us all take a solemn pledge not to ruin our planet again. We have learnt that we can live without most non-essential things. Let us keep our water and air clean. Keep vehicle use to the minimum. Noise pollution like blowing horns should be avoided too. Let us not burn garbage anymore and dispose it of properly. Let the mountains be decongested. Avoid rush at tourist places. Let us start afresh.

KC Garg, Hansi

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